Hi guys, im going to attempt to change the rad on my car this weekend, do i have to put the car in service position? I hope not, im wondering if anyone has done this before. Any tips?

Thanks

 

Just did this to my 2007. You have to pull th bumper cover and remove the ac condenser. Which means you will need a recharge. Spring clip pliers are helpful.

 

really.....is that the only way??

 

Putting the car in service position isn't actually too bad as long as your car isn't rusted to hell. I tried and the front subframe was just too rusty to move at all, even with the bolts out and everything. There's not too many things to disconnect before you have to move the subframe, it's very doable with two people. Bentley manual has a good guide on what to unclip/remove.

 

anyone else know if this can be done without service mode position?

 

It's not that service position. The radiator is sandwiched between the core support and the ac condenser. Removing the bumper cover is simply to get access. To get the lower radiator hose connection clear of the core support the ac confessor must be removed.

 

On the same topic, do all R56's use the same radiator, excluding the cooper S?
I found a rad with part number - 1711 7535099. Will this fit my 2008 Justa?

 

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=17_0391

Looks like that's the right part. This radiator is specific to the base Cooper, but fits across the model line (Hardtop, clubman, etc)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...&q=17117535099

 

Do these r56's use the same BMW coolant as my old R53?

 

Yea I used the blue coolant.